The feature documentary COOKED: Survival by Zip Code, a searing exploration into the politics of “disaster,” blends investigative reporting about the deadly 1995 Chicago heat wave with a potent argument that the best preparation for a disaster may start with investing in racial and economic justice.
Showtime will air Outcry, a five-part documentary series examining the gripping story of high school football star Greg Kelley, his controversial conviction and the quest for truth and justice as the case unfolds. Produced and directed by Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Pat Kondelis (Disgraced), Outcry will have its world premiere at the South by Southwest (SXSW) Conference and Festivals in Austin, ahead of its television premiere on Friday, April 3 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on Showtime.
From April 21 to 26, 2020, the 32nd Filmfest Dresden will take place in the state capital of Saxony in Dresden, Germany, featuring an exciting festival program with the best short films from across the world.
Oscilloscope Laboratories released the trailer for Saint Frances, winner of the SXSW 2019 Audience Award – Best Narrative Feature. The film which also won the SXSW 2019 Special Jury Recognition for Breakthrough Voice is directed by Alex Thompson and stars Kelly O’Sullivan, Ramona Edith Williams, Jim True-Frost, Francis Guinan, Lily Mojekwu, Mary Beth Fisher, along with Charin Alvarez.
Dark Star Pictures released a new trailer for the indie film Goalie, based on the true story of professional hockey player Terry Sawchuk.
HBO has confirmed their slate of captivating documentaries for the first half of 2020, including ATLANTA CHILD MURDERS (working title), a documentary series reexamining the missing and murdered children of Atlanta in the late-’70s and early-’80s in collaboration with Show of Force, Roc Nation and Get Lifted Film Co.; WELCOME TO CHECHNYA, directed by David France, chronicling a group of brave activists risking their lives to confront the ongoing anti-LGBTQ persecution in the repressive and closed Russian republic of Chechnya; NATALIE WOOD: WHAT REMAINS BEHIND, intimately exploring Natalie Wood’s life, career and tragic death through the unique perspective of her daughter Natasha Gregson Wagner and others who knew her best; and McMILLION$, from executive producer Mark Wahlberg and directors James Lee Hernandez and Brian Lazarte, a six-part documentary series chronicling the stranger-than-fiction story of the mysterious McDonald’s Monopoly game promotion scam and the mastermind who developed the complex scheme, stealing millions of dollars and building a vast network of co-conspirators across the U.S.
HBO is in production on the first project in its multi-film deal with best-selling author and Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Ronan Farrow. Farrow will collaborate with Academy Award nominated directors Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady of Loki Films to investigate threats, intimidation and violence directed at journalists working to expose corruption and abuse by governments, corporations and other powerful interests. The film will follow subjects in the United States and internationally.
Showtime Documentary Films announced upcoming titles from its 2020 slate from preeminent documentarians, including LOVE FRAUD from Rachel Grady and Heidi Ewing, THE TRADE from Matthew Heineman, THE LONGEST WAR from Greg Barker, Alex Gansa and Howard Gordon, KINGDOM OF SILENCE from Alex Gibney, Rick Rowley and Lawrence Wright, and THE KINGMAKER from Lauren Greenfield.
Vertical Entertainment released the official trailer for the indie WWII drama film Waiting for Anya from British writer-director Ben Cookson (Almost Married). Based on the novel of the same name by Sir Michael Morpurgo (War Horse), the film stars Noah Schnapp (“Stranger Things”, Bridge of Spies), Jean Reno (Godzilla, Alex Cross, Léon: The Professional), Academy Award winner ;Anjelica Huston (John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum, The Addams Family, Daddy Day Care), Thomas Kretschmann (The Pianist, King Kong), Elsa Zylberstein (Bel Canto, Un + une) and Frederick Schmidt (Mission: Impossible – Fallout, “Supergirl”, Patient Zero). Waiting for Anya opens in select theaters and on VOD starting Valentine’s Day, February 14th, 2020.
HBO released the official trailer for “McMillions,” the documentary series directed by by James Lee Hernandez and Brian Lazarte that chronicles the stranger-than-fiction story of an ex-cop turned security auditor who rigged the McDonald’s Monopoly game promotion for a decade, stealing millions of dollars and building a vast network of co-conspirators across the U.S.
Film at Lincoln Center will present Dreamed Paths: The Films of Angela Schanelec, a complete retrospective of the Berlin School filmmaker’s audacious body of work, February 7 to 13.
Oprah Winfrey has stepped away and will no longer be an executive producer of the upcoming untitled documentary about music executive Drew Dixon, who accused Russell Simmons of sexual misconduct. The documentary also will not air on Apple TV+, but is still expected to world premiere as scheduled at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival.